What Compensation Can I Get from a Dog Bite Injury?

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Dogs are referred to as “man’s best friend” for good reason. After all, dogs can provide years of fun and companionship. But even the friendliest dogs are capable of biting and hurting someone. Although many dog bites do not require medical attention, some attacks can be severe. Thankfully, victims of dog bite attacks have legal rights that may allow them to pursue compensation from a dog bite injury.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog bite accident and want to learn more about the rights and remedies that may be available to you, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 to receive a free case evaluation with one of our experienced dog bite lawyers.

UNDERSTANDING DOG BITE COMPENSATION

The kinds of compensation from dog a bite injury that may be available to a dog bite victim fall into two general categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are the quantifiable costs incurred by a dog bite victim following a dog attack. These costs may include the doctor’s appointments and missed time from work, for example. Specifically, the types of economic damages in a dog bite lawsuit can include:

Present and future pharmacy bills
Rehabilitation costs
Lost income and wages
Future lost income
Loss of earning capacityPresent and future medical bills

Non-economic damages are the intangible losses suffered by the victim of a dog bite attack. Non-economic damages, such as loss of enjoyment of life, cannot be easily quantified. Rather, a victim’s non-economic damages are typically evaluated by the jury in a lawsuit. Types of non-economic damages in a dog bite lawsuit may include:

Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Disfigurement
Disability
Loss of consortium

YOUR CONDUCT CAN AFFECT YOUR COMPENSATION

The amount of compensation from a dog bite injury that may be available to the victim may be impacted by the victim’s conduct leading up to the attack. In other words, if the victim was partially at fault for the attack occurring in the first place, the victim’s damages may be reduced. Here are a few examples of conduct that may reduce a dog bite victim’s compensation:

Provoking the Dog

In many states, provocation of the animal is a defense to dog bite liability. In other words, the at-fault party (typically the dog’s owner) may be able to avoid some or all liability for a dog bite attack if the at-fault party can prove that the victim provoked the dog. Examples of provocation include taunting a dog, hitting a dog, chasing a dog, and aggressively playing with a dog.

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Knowledge of the Dog’s Violent Tendencies

In some states, liability for a dog bite attack may be limited if the at-fault party can establish that the victim knew or should have known of the dog’s violent nature before the attack occurred. For example, if the victim ignored a “Beware of Dog” sign or a “Do Not Pet” sign, a court may find the victim partially at-fault and reduce the amount of damages accordingly.

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Trespassing

Trespassing is also a common defense to dog bite claims. This is a valid defense because property owners do not have a duty to make their premises safe for individuals who are on the property without permission. Thus, many states will not impose liability on a dog bite owner in cases where the dog attacks a trespasser.

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DOG BITE LAWS VARY BY STATE

Each state has its own unique set of dog bite laws. Some states have dog bite statutes that govern dog bite accidents. Other states rely on the courts to set dog bite laws. The rights and remedies that may be available to dog bite victims depend on the state in which the accident occurred. In many states, the dog’s owner can be held strictly liable for a dog bite attack. Strict liability renders the at-fault party responsible for injuries resulting from the attack even if the person did not act with fault or negligence. Examples of states that have some form of strict liability for dog bite injuries are:

Alabama
Arizona
California
Tennessee
Utah

However, not all states have strict liability laws for dog bite attacks. In these states, the victim must establish either that the dog’s owner was negligent or that the dog’s owner was aware of the animal’s violent tendencies. Examples of states that follow this standard include:

Hawaii
Kansas
North Dakota
South Dakota
Texas

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WHO CAN BE HELD LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR A DOG BITE INJURY?

One of the most important questions following a dog bite is whether anybody can be held liable for the attack. If so, the victim may be able to file a claim against the at-fault party to recover compensation from dog bite injury for costs incurred as a result of the accident.

In most dog bite cases, the at-fault party is the dog’s owner. Dog owners have a duty to use reasonable care in handling their pets. This means that the dog owner must take the necessary precautions to ensure that his or her pet does not cause harm to someone else. If a dog owner breaches this duty by failing to properly supervise their dog, the owner may be held liable if the dog bites and injures another person.

However, other parties besides the dog’s owner may also be responsible for a dog bite attack. These cases typically involve the dog being under someone else’s care or supervision. For example, a doggy daycare, dog-sitter, or dog walker may be held legally accountable for a dog bite attack if they negligently supervised the animal. Homeowner’s associations or landlords may also be liable if they failed to enforce leash regulations. The victim of a dog bite attack should carefully analyze the situation before deciding whether legal action should be pursued. Consulting with an experienced dog bite attorney may help you better understand your rights.

LEGAL TIME LIMITS FOR A DOG BITE INJURY CLAIM

A dog bite victim wishing to file a claim must do so within the legal time limit, or the “statute of limitations.” Failure to take appropriate action within the statute of limitations may mean that the victim has forfeited some or all of his or her legal rights.

Statutes of limitation for dog bite claims vary by state. Some states, such as Arizona, Colorado, and Texas, have a two-year statute of limitations. Other states, such as New Mexico, North Carolina, and South Carolina, have a three-year statute of limitations. Other states may have longer or shorter statutes of limitation. Under certain, limited circumstances, the statute of limitations may be extended, or “tolled,” beyond the typical limit, as is the case with minors.

Because the statute of limitations is a crucial part of any dog bite claim, it is important that you are fully aware of all relevant dates pertaining to your accident. A quick consultation with an experienced dog bite attorney may help you ensure that your claim is timely and properly filed.

LET ZINDA LAW GROUP’S DOG BITE ATTORNEYS FIGHT FOR YOU

At Zinda Law Group, our personal injury attorneys have years of experience handling dog bite claims on our clients’ behalf. From the initial consultation to the disposition of the case, our team strives to handle your claim as if it were our own. We want to fight for your rights while you focus on getting well.

Zinda Law Group also believes that an injury victim should never have to worry about being able to afford quality legal representation. That is why we offer free consultations. Plus, you pay nothing unless we win your case. That’s our No Win, No Fee Guarantee. If you would like to speak with an experienced dog bite lawyer, or to learn more about filing a claim, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 to receive your free case evaluation.